The German-ordered air strike that led to civilian casualties in Afghanistan in early September was more than an aberration by a Bundeswehr officer. The German government and the military leadership have long supported taking a tougher approach against the Taliban. He said nothing about the crux of the matter. German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was standing in the German parliament, the Bundestag, giving a speech that was filled, as usual, with well-made sentences, and yet it resolved nothing. His appearance in the Bundestag last Wednesday had been preceeded by reports that morning that Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the former inspector general of the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, had accused the defense minister of "not telling the truth."
He said nothing about the crux of the matter. German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was standing in the German parliament, the Bundestag, giving a speech that was filled, as usual, with well-made sentences, and yet it resolved nothing.
His appearance in the Bundestag last Wednesday had been preceeded by reports that morning that Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the former inspector general of the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, had accused the defense minister of "not telling the truth."
The secretary general of NATO sought Tuesday to address fears that international forces would leave Afghanistan too soon, saying that the 43-nation coalition would stand by Afghanistan until the country was ready to stand on its own. In his remarks at a joint news conference with the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary general, tried to reassure those who fear a premature withdrawal would leave the Afghan people and government vulnerable. "I know some are wondering how long international forces will stay; they are worried we will leave too soon," Mr. Rasmussen said. "Let there be no doubt the international community will stand with you and help in rebuilding your country until you are ready to stand on your own and ensure that terrorism will never take root again." The NATO commitment is particularly important to the United States both because it gives international legitimacy to the war in Afghanistan, but also because the European members of the coalition face considerable domestic opposition to having their troops in harm's way and at times in the past year have seemed on the brink of reducing the numbers fighting in the country.
"I know some are wondering how long international forces will stay; they are worried we will leave too soon," Mr. Rasmussen said. "Let there be no doubt the international community will stand with you and help in rebuilding your country until you are ready to stand on your own and ensure that terrorism will never take root again."
The NATO commitment is particularly important to the United States both because it gives international legitimacy to the war in Afghanistan, but also because the European members of the coalition face considerable domestic opposition to having their troops in harm's way and at times in the past year have seemed on the brink of reducing the numbers fighting in the country.
The second is probably telling the truth. If you want oil, the countries to the south are the places to be. As Jerome is fond of pointing out, the only oil-based justification, TAPI, is so beset with negatives that it will never happen. keep to the Fen Causeway
